Return to The Reign of Mary No. 136
The Reign of Mary
Vol. XLI, No. 136: Letter from the Editor
November 1, 2009
Feast of All Saints
Praised be Jesus and Mary. Recent news of the Conciliar Church centers around a Vatican initiative concerning the reception of Anglicans into the Church. Although an official document on this matter is not yet available, initial reports indicate that Anglican “priests” will be permitted to remain married after their conversion, and special ordinariates will be created to minister to the Anglican groups which convert. But what is especially astounding to me is the fact that these groups will reportedly be permitted to retain their own customs, including the Book of Common Prayer. This announcement is incredible.
The Anglican Book of Common Prayer was composed by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. As a Catholic priest, Cranmer was employed by Henry VIII as an ambassador to Germany. While there, Cranmer was influenced by the effects of the Reformation. In 1532 he married a relative of a Protestant reformer in Nuremberg. Soon Cranmer was recalled to England and installed as Archbishop of Canterbury by Henry VIII, whom he served by granting the various “annulments” requested by the king, who had become dissatisfied over his various marriages.
After Henry’s death in 1547, Cranmer had free rein under the boy-King Edward VI to initiate his reforms. He published the Book of Common Prayer, which served as the Anglican missal, ritual and prayer book. This volume not only contains invalid rites for ordination and episcopal consecration (which is why Pope Leo XIII pronounced Anglican orders invalid), but it also incorporates the heretical notions of Cranmer into the practice and beliefs of the members of the Church of England. For any part of this book to be permitted by Benedict XVI to remain in use among converts would be a clear indication of another radical departure from Catholic doctrine and practice and just one more sign that the modernists will do whatever it takes to achieve the dream of false unity promoted by Vatican II.
On a more positive note, we begin this month of November by recalling the great doctrine of our Faith known as the Communion of Saints. We rejoice in honoring the saints, calling to mind that they are truly our brothers and sisters in Christ, for we are united to them by the strongest bonds as fellow members of the mystical Body of Christ. Let us love them, learn about them, honor them, pray to them, and above all, imitate their holy lives.
Let us also not forget those members of the Church Suffering, the holy souls in purgatory. This is all the more imperative today, as so many of them have no one to pray for them. The modern Conciliar Church has long since lost an awareness of the importance of praying for the faithful departed. So many of the clergy and laity in the modern church have adopted the notion that the departed are easily admitted directly into the Beatific Vision, without the need to pass through purgatory. Consequently, suffrages for the deceased have virtually disappeared in the Conciliar Church. Let us not forget these poor souls in their sufferings. Rather, do all you can to gain indulgences and, through prayer, reception of the sacraments, good works and sacrifice to alleviate their sufferings. For one day, we shall likely be in their place, unable to help ourselves.
Finally, let us all resolve to spend the coming days of Advent well, that we might more worthily celebrate the feast of our Savior’s birth. May He, Jesus Christ our Lord, and our Blessed Mother Mary, grant to each of you the grace of perseverance in living our precious Catholic Faith.
In the service of Jesus and Mary
Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI
(Email Father)